Who can apply for one of our homes?
- Generally we will accept applications from any person aged 18 years and over. However there are some circumstances where we may, after careful consideration and a risk assessment, disqualify applicants from the offer of one of our homes. Examples of such behaviours are breaches of current or past tenancy agreements or terms of a mortgage, a history of anti-social behaviour and rent arrears.
- Some of our homes such as bungalows and flats have a minimum age limit that only people aged 60 or over initially can apply for. However, we may offer them to younger people if no-one of that age range currently wants one.
Can BCHA tenants transfer from one BCHA home to another?
- Yes, providing you have kept your home and garden in good order, have not broken any tenancy conditions and have no rent arrears.
Can BCHA tenants mutually exchange?
- Yes, you can mutually exchange as long as the exchange will not result in overcrowding or under- occupation of either home, neither tenant has broken their tenancy conditions nor have any rent arrears. (see tenants’ handbook for details)
I’m interested. What do I do now?
- Complete the application form providing identification and references and send it to us. You can pick one up from our reception, or we will send out one to you, or you download a copy of our housing application form by clicking this link
- You will then be invited to a pre-registration interview where we will discuss your housing needs and advise you of any other housing choices.
- Once you are registered we will write to you to confirm your housing need band. If you don’t agree with the band you have been placed in, you can appeal the decision through our complaints procedure.
How we let our homes
Priority Band – You will be placed into this band if you have emergency housing needs, for example, you are statutorily homeless:
Bronze Band – You will be placed in this band if your current accommodation is suitable but you want to move. This band will include current and former owner occupiers unless their financial circumstances prevent them from purchasing in the private sector.
Applicants will be registered in date order, within each band.
We want to let each type of home (house, bungalow, flat) fairly between each of these bands. Therefore, more homes will be allocated to the higher priority bands because their needs are more urgent.
50% of our lets will go to the Priority band. 25% of our lets will go to the Gold band 20% of our lets will go to the Silver band. 5% of our lets will go to the Bronze band.
What properties are you eligible for?
| Bungalow | One / Two adults aged 60 or over | One bed OAP flat (Cavendish gardens and Bloxwich Lane)
| One / Two adults aged 60 or over | Two bed OAP flat (Cavendish gardens and Bloxwich Lane)
| One / Two adults aged 60 or over | One bed flat (mature) (Cavendish gardens and Bloxwich Lane)
| One / Two adults aged 30 or over | Two bed flat (mature) (Cavendish gardens and Bloxwich Lane)
| One / Two adults aged 30 or over | Two bed low rise flat | One /Two adults One / Two adults + one child One / Two adults + two children
| Two bed house | One / Two adults + one child One / Two adults + two children
| Three bed house | One / Two adults + two children One / Two adults + three children One / Two adults + four children
| Four bed house | One / Two adults + three children One / Two adults + four children One / Two adults + five or more children.
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Bidding
When one of our homes becomes available we will write to the top 10 applicants from the appropriate bands who have registered for that type of home and location. The applicants will be invited to bid (express an interest) for the property. To bid you either return the form sent to you by post or bring it in to the office. The “bidder” who has been registered the longest will be offered the property, subject to their eligibility and any additional checks. If no one in the appropriate band is interested we will approach applicants in other bands to express interest.
How will BCHA offer a home to me?
If your bid is successful you will be invited to a pre-tenancy interview. This interview is to ensure your details have not changed and you are still eligible for the home. Following this a formal offer will be made in writing and you will have five working days in which to tell us in writing whether you accept or refuse the home.
Feedback
Everybody who placed a bid, but was unsuccessful will be written to with the details of the registration date of the winning bid. This helps applicants to gauge roughly how long they may have to wait for a home with us.
Feedback will also be published in our quarterly newsletter. This newsletter will be circulated to both tenants and applicants.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us on 01922 648252 or drop into the office.
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